New York Tunnels Terrorist Plot Foiled; Further Escalation in Gaza; Revisions Proposed to Prop 36; World Cup Final Preview; FilmWeek
New York Tunnels Terrorist Plot Foiled
Federal officials announced today they've interrupted a plot to attack transportation networks in New York and New Jersey. A statement from FBI officials and the Department of Homeland Security says Lebanese officials arrested a member of al-Qaida, who confessed to the plot, which appears to have been in the early stages. Guest host Ted Chen gets the latest available details from Mayssam Zaaroura, Editor of The Lebanon Daily Star, an English language newspaper in Beirut, then discusses the larger context with terrorism expert Brian Michael Jenkins, Senior Advisor to the President of the Rand Corporation.
Further Escalation in Gaza
Israeli aircraft struck armed Palestinians in northern Gaza early Friday after the bloodiest day of clashes in the strip since Israel withdrew last summer. Twenty-four Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in fighting that began on Thursday, pitting militants armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades against Israeli tanks and attack helicopters. After sunrise Friday, Israel renewed its assault in northern Gaza with two airstrikes, killing one militant from the Palestinians' ruling Hamas Party, and wounding three officials. Ted Chen speaks with Israeli Consul General Ehud Danoch about the situation.
Revisions Proposed to Prop 36
A new state bill proposes changes to the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000 otherwise known as Prop. 36. The voter-approved measure, passed by Californians 6 years ago, offers drug treatment rather than jail time for drug offenders. But law enforcement agencies, probation officers and others have been critical of the new law. They say that the power to award of jail time is necessary tool for judges, especially when dealing with repeat offenders who don't complete treatment. The proposed bill, sponsored by San Diego State Senator Denise Ducheny, would let judges order "flash incarcerations" of offenders who test positive for drugs or fail to attend treatment programs. Prop. 36 defenders say the bill is illegal, and plan to file a lawsuit the moment it's signed into law. AirTalk guest host Ted Chen talks with Senator Ducheny, Prop. 36 co-author Dave Fratello, and Superior Court judge Stephen Manley.
World Cup Final Preview
Guest host Ted Chen provides a wrap-up of World Cup events thus far. Then, Ted and guest Elliott Almond from the San Jose Mercury News will provide a preview of the third place match on Saturday, July 8th in Stuttgart, Germany that pits Germany against Portugal, and the championship match on Sunday, July 9th in Berlin that pits Italy against France.
FilmWeek
Guest host Ted Chen and critics Henry Sheehan of HenrySheehan.com and Andy Klein, film editor and chief critic for both CityBeat and ValleyBeat discuss this week's new releases, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, A Scanner Darkly, Strangers with Candy, The Puffy Chair, Only Human, La Moustache, and Sisters in Law.